A blog by a British Muslim girl

Al-qaeda

Today, a double suicide bombing killed about 80 people and injured more than a hundred in Northwest Pakistan. The Pakistani Taliban has taken responsibility, claiming to avenge the death of Osama Bin Laden. The majority of the dead were young army recruits who had just finished a training course. How is killing 80 Pakistanis revenge for Bin Laden? Bin Laden was killed by US forces that didn’t calibrate with Pakistan when the raid was carried out. I’m not saying target Americans, but why these young Pakistani men? It’s been said, Pakistan has lost the most lives, since the war on terror began. 700 have died from drone attacks by the US forces. Thousands have died in blasts and suicide bombings. Why?

Pakistan has been under tremendous pressure since 9/11. According to George W. Bush ‘you’re either with us, or against us’. President Musharraf had little choice but to befriend America, much to the annoyance of most Pakistanis. Suicide bombings were unheard of ten years ago- this sort of terrorism only began in Pakistan post 9/11. Allowing America the use of its air space and allying with George Bush in the war against terror, President Musharraf did his country a great disservice. This gave the extremist ideology that is linked with Al-qaeda, a green light and an excuse to start a war of it’s own. In-bred extremists within Pakistan started creeping out from beneath the surface. The Islamic political parties started gaining more support. Ten years on little has changed. Except Osama Bin Laden was found in Abbotabad, apparently having lived there for years. So much for helping the world in the war against terror. Now that they’ve found him and killed him, can’t they just leave Afghanistan? If only it was that easy. The billions that have been spent by the Allies in Afghanistan are too precious for them to just leave. They’ve made a mess of it, and they’re going to stay until it’s not worth their while.

One thing that has stricken a chord with me was the chilling video that was supplied by Al-qaeda after Bin Laden’s death. I only read the transcript, and it left me feeling uneasy and uncomfortable. The line I cannot forget is this one – ‘America and anyone who lives in America will not enjoy peace until our people in Palestine enjoy it.’ Apart from the mention of Pakistan and America, Palestine is the only other country mentioned. Not Iraq and not Afghanistan. Their message is pretty damn clear. It all comes down to Israel, and America’s foreign policy and backing of Israel. If you want to understand Al-qaeda’s ideology and motivation, this statement says it all. When an organisation or people commit such acts of terrorism, it’s logical for us to look at the root of the problem. Why are there so many disgruntled people in the world? Why do so many people dislike America? Why is it so easy for young Muslims to become radicalised? Tell them a little about Palestine and America’s foreign policy and that should get them started somewhat.

There is much talk about what America should do in relation to Pakistan. What should America do? If it wants to tackle extremism and terrorism, it MUST re-think it’s stance towards Israel. The military and financial backing of Israel is the reason Israel is able to continue oppressing Palestinians. This is not negotiating with terrorists; this is about doing the right thing in the interest of all citizens across the Western world and the Muslim world.